More than a game for Bayswater’s Coyne

Bayswater City coach Chris Coyne knows Sunday’s Round 17 PS4 NPLWA clash against Perth SC is more than a battle for points.

Coyne, who has a strong history with Bayswater’s rivals, said a win at Dorrien Gardens would mean a great deal to him.

“My old man coached there for 10 years, my brother’s played there and I’ve played there myself,” he said.

“I’ve got a lot of history at that club and so has my family, so it’s an important game for Bayswater and Perth but it’s also an important game for myself.

“I know a lot of people down there have a lot of respect for the football club, so it’s a traditional rivalry that means a lot.”

Fifth-placed Bayswater trails fourth-placed Perth by three points, adding more spice to the fixture.

“A win is important, but we’ve been behind the eight ball with missing a (postponed) game against Subiaco,” Coyne said. “So, with a game in hand we talk about six pointers but really it’s a nine-pointer this weekend.

“We’re well aware of that and we’ll put points into the equation but at the end of the day we want to win every game.

“(Perth are) a good team, they’ve got good individuals, they’re well organised and it’s a derby at the end of the day, so no matter what anyone says, it’s important that we approach it that way.”

Perth coach Ramon Falzon is expecting Bayswater to be motivated by the opportunity to close in on a top-four spot.

“For the last five years they’ve been the benchmark of the competition, so it will definitely be a tough game from their side,” he said.

“From our side, we’re approaching it the other way. We need to get back to winning ways and beating Bayswater will open another gap between the top four teams, including us, and the rest.”

Falzon expected a reaction from his side after a 3-2 loss to Floreat Athena last weekend.

“We played very well in the second-half against Floreat when we were leading 2-1 and thought we had the three points in the bag, then two goals to them ended up costing us the game,” he said.

“From our side we’ll definitely be looking to bounce back and get back to winning ways this week against Bayswater.”

In Round 17 action on Saturday, Cockburn City will take on first-placed Floreat Athena at Dalmatinac Park, Balcatta and Perth Glory will face off at Grindleford Reserve and Sorrento will host Armadale at Percy Doyle Reserve.

Inglewood United will meet ECU Joondalup at Perth Plasterboard Centre Stadium, Subiaco and Joondalup United will face each other at Rosalie Park, and Stirling Lions will travel to Securitas Protect Stadium to take on Mandurah City.